The Tandem Experience
If you've never been skydiving before, you've probably got a large number of questions as you prepare for your thrilling day.
It’s very difficult to describe the sensation of the whole experience when you skydive for the first time. In truth, you will likely go through a whole range of emotions and end up with such a feeling of exhilaration that you’ll find it difficult to put into your own words.
You will get a lot more enjoyment from your experience if you are in reasonably good shape. Keep in mind the maximum weight to do a tandem is 200 lbs (90.72kg). With special accommodations for those between 200 and 230 lbs. (Please contact manifest for details).
You must also be able to raise your feet in front of you
for landing, walk and jump without assistance.
Remember no alcohol the night before and stay hydrated throughout your experience. If you’re in any doubt, then it’s a good idea to contact your medical professional.
For our accessibility Tandem, please call the office.
The basic attire for your tandem should be lace-up athletic shoes, shorts or long pants, t-shirt (long or short sleeve). If it’s chilly outside, it will be much colder at altitude, so you may want to wear pants and a sweatshirt or light jacket. We do have jumpsuits available upon request.
Skydiving is restricted to those who are 18 years of age or older and will be verified by your state issued ID.
This is an adventure that is best experienced with family and friends. Much will depend on the size of your entourage, but we certainly encourage this type of group experience.
It may be necessary to spread certain large groups over a number of different flights, but as many as 11 tandem pairs can jump at the same time from one plane. While human friends are most certainly welcome, your pets will have to hear about your experience when you get home.
Your tandem jump will take place only if the weather conditions are suitable for skydiving. If the weather that day is marginal you are certainly welcome to call the drop zone prior to leaving your home to check weather conditions.
When arriving for your jump, plan on spending at least ½ a day with us. Reservations are for you to get all of the necessary paperwork done when you first get here we can then sequence you for your jump. Two things we can’t control are weather and aircraft issues.
Skydive San Diego is an easy drive from many of San Diego's top attractions.
The first thing we need you to do upon arrival is filling out our waiver. Even our waiver system is state-of-the-art, you will step up to a tablet and answer and few questions, taking no more than 5-10 minutes.
The next part of the check-in process is checking your ID. Please bring some form of government issued picture ID. We need this to verify your identity, and to enable us to finish the check-in process
Finally, we ask you which video package you would like to take with you after your experience with us. This is a great way to remember your moment in the air and share it with your family and friends. Once you have chosen your package, you settle your account and head out to training.
We take safety seriously. All of our instructors are USPA certified, highly experienced, pro skydivers, who are only going to take you up when you are confident with your equipment, the process, and all safety steps. Training is a must so everyone can have a safe, fun, and unforgettable experience.
Your average wait time can vary, so please allow at least 2 hours for this once in a lifetime experience. Our process includes signing a waiver, checking-in, 5-10 minute training session and catching your ride up to altitude. Wait time can vary due to weather, airspace and aircraft accommodation.
Your instructor will do a complete safety inspection of your parachute and harness, pre-flight. They will fit your harness and adjust for both safety and comfort. You’ll also have the chance to ask questions and go over what you learned in your training class so you’re clear and comfortable during the entire process.
Only students who are jumping are permitted to attend the tandem skydive training. While it isn’t possible for your friends or family members to sit through your training class with you, we do have a picnic area with tables where they can wait to watch you jump. Just keep in mind, no alcohol is allowed for safety reasons
Expect to wait before your jump. We assign groups into aircraft loads, so unless you go on the first load after your training, you’ll have time before you go into the air. This is a great time to stay hydrated and to have a light meal – often jumpers who report feeling sick in the air jumped on an empty stomach.
One of our certified instructors will give you a high-level overview of what you are about to experience. Pay close attention to this and if you’ve got any questions, these can be answered by your instructor.
Now it’s time to meet your tandem instructor, with whom you will be enjoying your skydiving experience. Each one of these individuals is a highly trained, experienced and certified USPA Tandem instructor and will be ready to answer any additional questions that you have before you jump.
Now it’s time to learn all the specifics. During your training session, your certified USPA tandem instructor will take you through the entire procedure. You will learn about the aircraft and its seating configurations, how to climb out of the plane, how to get ready to jump, the type of freefall position during descent, and the procedure for landing.
You now know what to expect and it’s time to get kitted out for your jump. All of your gear will be carefully fitted by an instructor and this will take place individually. You will be called forward when it’s your turn to be introduced to your custom fitting harness and eye goggles. Just relax for the time being and wait for your name to be called.
You’ve now reached the moment of truth. You’ve gone through all the training, filled out all the paperwork and been kitted out with your gear. Don’t be surprised if the harness feels a little unusual or tight, as these are specifically designed for this job, and you’ll soon get used to it. It’s time to follow your instructor and head for the plane!
You will remember from your training that there is a specific technique involved in getting into the plane, so remember what to do and climb on board carefully, alongside any other skydivers and their instructors who may be joining you.
Once everybody is ready, the pilot will maneuver the plane along a short taxiway to the beginning of the runway and start to roll out. In no time at all, you’ll be in the air and climbing steadily above the beautiful Southern Californian countryside.
Take time to look all around you and savour the occasion. Out of the window you will have unparalleled views over the Pacific Ocean, the mountains that surround San Diego, and Mexico to your south.
Keep an eye on your altimeter as well, as you climb. You will know that you are at cruising altitude when it reaches 13,000 feet. This part of the flight should take about 15 minutes to complete, before you get to your optimal jump height.
As your journey continues, your skydiving instructor will go over everything again and tell you what you need to do and what you should expect from your skydive. This will be the time when the instructor will attach himself directly to your harness, in preparation for the jump.
When it’s approaching time for you both to begin the skydive, you will need to maneuver towards the door. This may feel a little awkward, as you are both harnessed together pretty tightly, of course. Don’t worry though, you’re about to experience something truly out of this world!
If this is your first time, you will likely have a curious mix of apprehension, excitement, incredulity and awe. Standing, tethered to your instructor at an open doorway of the plane, barely able to hear the last-minute words of encouragement given to you by your flying partner. Can it really be happening?
Once the instructor is ready and you have reached the ideal location, you may notice him bending forward to have a look out of the plane several times. This is usual, as he is double and triple-checking the conditions and the drop zone. Then, when all is set, you will assume the position described to you in the training session and wait for the big moment.
The next thing you experience will provide you with a lifetime of memories, all rolled into one explosive, exhilarating and mind-blowing feeling as you exit the plane and enter the world of freefall. You will suddenly be travelling at over 120 miles an hour through the skies and rewriting your personal textbook about sensory overload.
If you’re able to look up, you’ll see the plane start to disappear from sight as it continues its journey and you fall away. This image will be something that you can use to really understand the sensation of falling and flying through the air in this way.
Almost as soon as you exit the plane a special ‘chute known as a “drogue” will be activated, which helps to contain the speed of descent to normal levels. This is the first section of your ride and freefall usually lasts for up to a minute. Many people say that this part of the adventure goes by so quickly, so remember to savour every split-second of it.
All too soon, at around 5,500 feet, it will be time to deploy the main parachute. Of course, you needn’t worry about any of this, as your skydiving instructor is taking care of all the details behind your back. He will give you a quick alert that it’s about to happen and then you’ll notice a very sudden and intense movement that arrests the fall and feels like you’re lifting up for a second or two. This is, of course, a sensation you haven’t come across before, but now you will feel as if you are gently floating like a leaf, rather than plummeting through the air.
You’ll also find that things have become very quiet suddenly and you’ll be able to carry out a conversation with your instructor fairly easily. He may remind you of some of your training again and how you should think about positioning yourself as you approach the ground. But for now, enjoy your five or six-minute ride under the parachute canopy through the skies. See if you can spot some of the famous San Diego landmarks like Coronado Island and follow the mountain range north towards Los Angeles.
Have you caught your breath yet? Many people will take a couple of minutes just to try and take in what they’ve just done and put it into some kind of perspective. You’ve just joined an elite club of people who have experienced a tandem jump and you’re going to remember it for the rest of your life.
The first thing that you need to do now is to extract yourself from the harness and return it and the goggles to the waiting assistant. If some friends or family have come to watch your jump, then you’ll be able to meet back up with them and share in their excitement of what they’ve just watched. No doubt many of them will be keen to ask you “what did it feel like?” Some of them may even want to try it themselves soon.
As you head back to the office you will start to wonder how you can get some mementos of your fabulous day. After all, when your intense memories of the moment start to fade, you will need something to rekindle the experience, as well as something to give you bragging rights among your friends.
We suggest you get hold of a copy of our professionally made video that details your jump from the plane and from the ground. We also offer you a selection of photographs taken throughout your experience, that augment and complement the moving image.
*Raw footage and pictures will be kept for only 3 months and edited videos for 6 months after your jump date. We encourage all customers to download and save their media as soon as possible.
You may also want to buy the T-shirt, so that you can show off to your friends. And why not, you have just executed a perfect tandem jump right out of the clear California skies!
All of these items are available at the gift shop for you to purchase before you leave. But in the meantime, bask in the glow of a safe and successful jump and enjoy the final moments of your experience at Skydive San Diego.
Attention